NFL Season Preview

Let’s see who our EPs chose to win each division, conference, MVP, and of course SB XLIX.

AFC NORTH:
AJ- CINCINNATI
There was a time when the AFC North was the best division in football. Like Ray Lewis, those days are gone. The NFC NORTH remains a competitive division, but it seems as if the teams do a whole lot of beating up on each other and remain average against non-conference opponents. Cincinatti has the best overall team and has arguably one of the top five receivers in the game. Actually, there is no argument. AJ Green is THAT guy. The team has everything it needs to do big things; however, Andy Dalton is still the QB. The Bengals may surprise a team this year in the post season, but will ultimately come up short

Kenny: PITTSBURGH
How quickly people are to write off Mile Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. Despite 0-4 start last year, they narrowly missed the playoffs. Additions WR Lance Moore and LB Ryan Shazier will push them over the top.

Jamari: CINCINNATI
Rex Grossman couldn’t even mess up this situation. So, Andy Dalton don’t get any ideas. Manage the games.

AFC EAST:
AJ: NEW ENGLAND
Does another team even exist in this division? Same script, Different ca…well it’s actually pretty much the same cast too. The Patriots ease through the division. The Dolphins continue to show improvement, but don’t quite have enough in the tank. Who are those other two teams again?

Kenny: NEW ENGLAND
Bills and Jets are both non-factors and while the Dolphins will be improved, there’s not a team or a quarterback for that matter that can contend with Tom Brady and the Patriots. Pass defense will be a strong point this year lead by Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis.

Jamari: NEW ENGLAND
It’s disrespectful to even defend NE against these other teams. Although, I do have the Dolphins as the 6th seed

AFC WEST:
AJ: DENVER
They have Peyton Manning. Need I say more? The Broncos already had a great offense and have managed to get better on the other side of the ball too. They could face a little competition from San Diego. Phillip Rivers and the Chargers have always been able to get under the skin of Peyton Manning since the Indianapolis days. The Chiefs will have a good year, but have room for improvement. Expect upgrades from the Raiders, but they are still the Raiders so you know what that means.

AFC SOUTH:
AJ: INDIANAPOLIS
This division has the same kind of feel that the AFC East does. I really like Andrew Luck and I see the Colts as being improved this year. Depending on how much help they can get defensively and how Luck’s offensive weapons look, expect to see the Colts deep into the playoffs. They will surprise people this year.

Kenny: HOUSTON
Surprise pick, worst to first. Arian Foster and Andre Johnson carry the offense and the Texans defense will cause problems for Colts QB Andrew Luck, who has 43 turnovers in his first two years.

Jamari: INDIANAPOLIS
Andrew Luck joins the discussion for best QB in the league.

NFC NORTH:
AJ: GREEN BAY
The Packers look better than they’ve ever looked since the Super Bowl victory. I think Chicago is poised to make a lot of noise, but this isn’t the same defensive Chicago Bears that you are used to back in the day. I don’t trust Jay Cutler as far as he can throw it. They will find a way to mess up. Chicago will give teams trouble and may shake things up in the playoffs. The Lions have the talent, but are still not disciplined enough. The Vikings? Good Luck, AP.

Kenny: GREEN BAY
Managed to win last year despite Aaron Rodgers missing a big part of last season. Adding Julius Peppers and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on defense makes them that much better than everyone else.

Jamari: GREEN BAY
Aaron Rodgers is a bad man. He also is the BEST player in all of football.

NFC EAST:
AJ: PHILADELPHIA
I’m not sure if I believe in Nick Foles. But, I do believe the Eagles are the best team in this division. I like Chip Kelley and LeShawn McCoy is arguable the best RB in the game. The division is there’s to lose. Look for resurgence in the Redskins, but it won’t be enough to make noise in the playoffs in the tight NFC. The Cowboys and Giants still are who we thought they were.

Kenny: PHILADELPHIA
Players should be more comfortable under Chip Kelly’s innovative offense in year two. Added firepower in RB Darren Sproles and WR Jordan Matthews means they can out score almost any team.

Jamari: NEW YORK GIANTS
I don’t know how or why I picked them. Eli will find a way to leave us scratching our heads again.

NFC WEST:
AJ: SEATTLE
Easily the best division in football. Before the season started, I wanted to say San Fran would win it all. However, with the debacle of an off season, I’m not sure if it will happen. I won’t rule them out though, but I think they will disappoint during the regular season. Look out for those Cardinals who quietly won 11 games last year and didn’t make the playoffs. 11 games! That is insane! Instant sleeper. Larry Fitzgerald is still a monster. The Rams are done for. The Seahawks are still the same team they were last year and probably the best team in the NFL. But it is the NFL and it is just way too hard to repeat in this league of extraordinary gentlemen.

Kenny: SEATTLE
The returning Super Bowl champions are virtually bringing back the same team. The 49ers are slowly breaking apart as of late and the Rams lost QB Sam Bradford for the season.

Jamari: SEATTLE
43-8.

NFC SOUTH:
AJ: NEW ORLEANS
I think the NFC SOUTH is going to be a lot better than people bargain for. The Saints have made tons of off season pickups and I think it will pay off. The defense is improving which will make a difference. Don’t sleep on the Falcons. They have a kind of Georgia Bulldog kind of feel to them. The defense can’t get worse and I think it has upgraded during the off season. Meanwhile, they arguably have the best receiving core in the league. If they can run the ball, they will do well. If not, they will fail. Also, don’t sleep on the Buccaneers. Lovie Smith as a coach screams big things for Tampa. The Panthers will play amazing Defense. That is about it. Cam Newton is still Cam Newton. He is a system QB who is mediocre at best in the pocket.

Kenny: NEW ORLEANS
Top 5 QB and last years 4th ranked offense/defense actually improved both sides over the off-season, no brainer.

Jamari: NEW ORLEANS
A QB has thrown for 5,000 yards eight times. Drew Brees has four such seasons.